A little honest insight about the World Series champion San Francisco Giants (2010, 2012, 2014) from a blog that ranked in the Top 100 of MLB.com Fan Blogs of 2012-14

For the record, the San Francisco Giants’ shutout streak lasted 36 innings, 60 feet, five inches.

The Reds’ Zach Cozart smacked the first pitch of the game from Matt Cain into the left-field bleachers, ending the Giants’ streak of four consecutive shutouts.

The Reds would go on to add two more runs in the inning as Matt Cain struggled in his first home start since his perfect game on June 6.

He would later give up a home run to Reds pitcher Mike Leake, the first home run Cain has allowed to an opposing pitcher in his career. Cain finished with five earned runs on 11 hits and one walk in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven.

“I’m just sad I didn’t keep it going,” Cain said. “I wanted to follow (Madison Bumgarner’s gem) up, and I didn’t do that.”

The Giants got their hits on Leake, smacking out nine hits. But they went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

But there are some silver linings in the loss:

Pablo Sandoval helped the Giants avert their fourth shutout loss of the season — and first to a National League club — with his one-out home run to right in the ninth inning. It was Sandoval’s first home run since coming off the disabled list earlier this month.

While the Giants avoided a shutout, the Dodgers did not, losing 9-0 to the Mets. So the Giants retained their one-game lead in the NL West.

UP NEXT

Barry Zito tries to build off his outstanding start on Monday when San Francisco faces Giant-villain Mat Latos in a 1:05 p.m. start Saturday.

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